2006 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS engine coolant

coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
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Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
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What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•CHECK GAUGES will illuminate
in the mini message center
•TheService engine soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
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Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
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CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer toscheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the
dipstick. It should be between the
arrows in the FULL range on the
side of the dipstick with the words
MAX. HOT at the top. Do not add
fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL range. Be sure to put the dipstick
back in the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance informationfor the service interval schedules.
ADD MAX. HOTFULL
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Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)All 6.0 quarts
(5.7L)
Engine coolant
1Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)All 30.6 quarts
(29.0L)3
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Keep in FULL
range on
dipstick
Rear axle
2Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantDana 80 4.0 quarts
(3.9L)
Dana S135 and
Dana S14512.0 quarts
(11.7L)
Fuel tank N/A All 75 .0 gallons
(284.0L)
Transmission
4Motorcraft
MERCONSP
AT FAll 17.5 quarts
(16.6L)5
Parking brake
assemblyMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to bottom of
fill plug hole
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.2Fill 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm to 14 mm) below bottom of fill hole.
Your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and is
considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water.
3Capacity is approximate and will vary due to second stage manufacturer
completion of HVAC system. Fill to Hot/Cold Lines on reservoir.
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4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCONtype
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCONV type fluid.
MERCON, MERCONV and MERCONSP are not
interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON, MERCONV and
MERCONSP. Use of dual usage fluids in an automatic
transmission application requiring MERCONSP may cause
transmission damage. Use of a transmission fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with in-tank cooler. The amount of
transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on the
dipstick’s normal operating range.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Super DOT 4
Motor Vehicle
Brake FluidYS4Z-19542–AA ESO-M6C57–A
and DOT 4
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA, OR
and NM),
VC-7-B (CA, OR
and NM)WSS-M97B51-A1
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A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................55
Air cleaner filter ...............115–116
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ..................94
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................55
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................59
fluid, adding ............................112
fluid, checking ........................112
fluid, refill capacities ..............117
fluid, specification ..................121
Axle
lubricant specifications ..119, 121
refill capacities ........................117
B
Battery .........................................92
acid, treating emergencies .......92
jumping a disabled battery ......72
maintenance-free ......................92
replacement, specifications ...116
servicing ....................................92
Brakes ..........................................54
anti-lock .....................................55
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .................56
fluid, checking and adding ....110
fluid, refill capacities ..............117
fluid, specifications .........119, 121
lubricant specifications ..119, 121
shift interlock ............................58
Bulbs ............................................16
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....117Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................86
wheels ........................................86
Coolant
checking and adding ................94
refill capacities ..................98, 117
specifications ..................119, 121
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................18
Customer Assistance ..................63
Ford Extended Service Plan ...83
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ................84
Getting roadside assistance .....63
Getting the service you need ..78
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ...................................85
The Dispute Settlement
Board .........................................80
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program .................83
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................15
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................112
engine oil ...................................89
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........119
Driving under special
conditions ....................................62
through water ...........................62
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................72
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